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State Career Guide

California Surgical Technologist Requirements & Career Pathway

Explore California’s Surgical Technologist requirements, see which healthcare employers recognize NCCT TS-C, and learn how the UpTrain Surgical Technologist program may fit your career goals.

California•Guide reviewed: September 2026
CA
California
Surgical Technologist · State Guide
The Bottom Line for California
04a · California requirements

The Bottom Line for California

California does not currently require a separate state-issued Surgical Technologist license or a single statewide national certification. However, hospitals and surgical facilities set their own hiring standards, and licensed hospitals must comply with operating-room staffing and oversight rules.[1][2]

Published employer postings from Palomar Health, Adventist Health, Sharp HealthCare and UC Davis Health recognize NCCT TS-C as either accepted or preferred. Education and experience requirements differ considerably among positions.[10–13]

NCCT accepted by some California employersEmployer requirements vary

California’s main regulatory and employer considerations are covered on this page; a separate requirements page is not needed for this state.

What is NCCT TS-C?
04b · NCCT TS-C explainer

National Surgical Technologist certification

The Tech in Surgery – Certified (TS-C) is issued by the National Center for Competency Testing. The certification program is NCCA-accredited.[4]

125documented surgical cases
90+first-scrub cases
NCCAaccredited certification

The required case mix includes 30–50 general surgical cases and 75–95 cases across at least three surgical specialties.[5]

In California: NCCT acceptance does not override any additional education, BLS, or experience qualifications specified by the hiring facility.

How the UpTrain Pathway Fits
05 · How the UpTrain Pathway Fits

Flexible Surgical Technologist training with an included surgical externship

NCCT TS-C is the primary certification pathway.

Offered in partnership with Louisiana State University Shreveport, UpTrain provides online, self-paced Surgical Technologist training covering sterile technique, instrumentation, surgical procedures, infection control and patient care.

  • Approximately 4–6 months of online coursework
  • 350 contact hours with mentor support
  • Included surgical externship and clinical-placement assistance
  • Career-placement support through ReadyToWork
Included and mandatory for NCCT TS-C: 125 surgical cases

Students pursuing NCCT TS-C must successfully complete the included surgical externship and document 125 surgical cases, including at least 90 first scrub. The mentor and placement team assist with clinical placement; participation depends on site acceptance, onboarding, scheduling and suitable case availability. Clinical-site personnel verify completed cases. A particular facility, placement date, distance or completion timeline cannot be guaranteed.

Return to Program & Enroll →
$1,188 tuition  ·  Starting at $99/month
Primary certification · NCCT TS-C

Prepares for the NCCT pathway; final examination and certification eligibility are determined by NCCT.

Additional option · AAH

AAH Surgical Technologist certification is secondary. Comparable acceptance was not verified in the California postings reviewed.

Important program distinction

This non-degree certificate program is not CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited and does not provide the standard new-program-completer route to the NBSTSA CST exam.

Surgical Technologist in an operating room holding an instrument tray
Skills for a brighter tomorrow.Online coursework + required surgical experience
NBSTSA CST and NCCT TS-C: What’s the Difference?
06 · Certification comparison

NBSTSA CST and NCCT TS-C: What’s the Difference?

Two national credentials with different certification eligibility pathways. California employers set their own requirements.

Feature NBSTSA CST NCCT TS-C / UpTrain
Credential Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) Tech in Surgery – Certified (TS-C)
Certification body NBSTSA NCCT
NCCA-accredited certification Yes Yes
Typical training timeline Often 12–24 months, depending on school UpTrain coursework: approximately 4–6 months, plus mandatory surgical-case completion
Estimated training cost Varies by institution and program UpTrain tuition: $1,188
Published exam fee AST member $230; nonmember $340 TS-C $199
Surgical case requirement Clinical requirements through accredited education; commonly at least 120 cases 125 documented cases, at least 90 first scrub
Accepted by every employer? No No
California employer acceptance Required or accepted by some employers Required, accepted or preferred by some employers; other qualifications vary

Credential

NBSTSA CSTCertified Surgical Technologist (CST)
NCCT TS-C / UpTrainTech in Surgery – Certified (TS-C)

Certification body

NBSTSA CSTNBSTSA
NCCT TS-C / UpTrainNCCT

NCCA-accredited certification

NBSTSA CSTYes
NCCT TS-C / UpTrainYes

Typical training timeline

NBSTSA CSTOften 12–24 months, depending on school
NCCT TS-C / UpTrainUpTrain coursework: approximately 4–6 months, plus mandatory surgical-case completion

Estimated training cost

NBSTSA CSTVaries by institution and program
NCCT TS-C / UpTrainUpTrain tuition: $1,188

Published exam fee

NBSTSA CSTAST member $230; nonmember $340
NCCT TS-C / UpTrainTS-C $199

Surgical case requirement

NBSTSA CSTClinical requirements through accredited education; commonly at least 120 cases
NCCT TS-C / UpTrain125 documented cases, at least 90 first scrub

Accepted by every employer?

NBSTSA CSTNo
NCCT TS-C / UpTrainNo

California employer acceptance

NBSTSA CSTRequired or accepted by some employers
NCCT TS-C / UpTrainRequired, accepted or preferred by some employers; other qualifications vary

Exam fees: NBSTSA published exam application and NCCT candidate handbook. Costs and requirements may change. NCCT cases and NBSTSA education requirements have separate official documentation.[5][6][7][8]

What California Employers Are Asking For
07 · Employer evidence

What California Employers Are Asking For

Four dated examples. NCCT recognition varies from preferred to required, and several positions have additional experience or education conditions.

Palomar Health

Escondido, California
NCCT preferred
Surgical Technologist–NonCert · Posted 04/24/2026

The posting prefers CST or NCCT certification. It requires vocational Surgical Technology training or at least one year of related work, 6–12 months of multispecialty experience, and BLS. NCCT is preferred, not required.[10]

View posting ↗

Adventist Health

Delano, California
NCCT TS-C or CST required
Labor & Delivery Surgical Technologist · Posted 08/2026

A published Delano posting accepts a Surgical Technology certificate or associate degree and requires either CST or NCCT TS-C; acute-care experience is preferred. Confirm the latest facility-specific requirements.[11]

View posting ↗

Sharp HealthCare

San Diego, California
NCCT TS-C accepted
Surgical Technologist II · Posted 05/26/2026

The Sharp Memorial posting accepts NCCT TS-C alongside CST/CSFA. It also requires three years of hospital Surgical Technologist experience, BLS and its stated certification/education conditions. This is not an entry-level example.[12]

View posting ↗

UC Davis Health

Sacramento, California
NCCT TS-C accepted
Principal Surgical Technician · Posted 2026

The referenced posting accepts either NCCT TS-C or NBSTSA CST, but also requires accredited Surgical Technology education and two years of pediatric scrub experience in a Level I or II trauma OR.[13]

View posting ↗

Postings were reviewed in September 2026. They may close or change. An employer listing NCCT does not guarantee acceptance of UpTrain’s specific program or a particular student's experience.

Which Pathway May Be Right for You?
08 · Pathway considerations

Which Pathway May Be Right for You?

Explore UpTrain / NCCT TS-C if you:

  • Prefer online, self-paced coursework.
  • Want a non-degree certificate program.
  • Are prepared to complete the included externship and mandatory 125 cases.
  • Have identified California employers that accept NCCT TS-C and your education and experience.

Consider an accredited CST pathway if you:

  • Want an associate degree or traditional college-based training.
  • Need the standard education route to NBSTSA CST eligibility.
  • Plan to apply for positions requiring CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited education.
  • Prefer integrated campus-based lab and clinical education.
Job Titles to Search in California
09 · Job-title search terms

Job Titles to Search in California

Surgical TechnologistSurgical TechnicianCertified Surgical TechnologistOperating Room TechnicianScrub TechnicianOR Surgical TechnologistSurgical Technologist I / IISurgical Technologist – NonCertPerioperative Technician

Search terms are not interchangeable qualifications. Some positions require extensive hospital or specialty experience.

Before You Enroll
10 · Before enrolling

Check three things before you enroll

01

Review your target employers

Compare nearby job postings. Confirm whether NCCT TS-C is accepted or preferred, whether accredited education is required, and the BLS or prior-experience expectations.

02

Understand the NCCT clinical pathway

UpTrain includes the mandatory 125-case surgical externship for NCCT TS-C students, with at least 90 first-scrub cases and verified case documentation.[5]

03

Check California clinical-site requirements

Receiving facilities control student participation, competency review, onboarding and scheduling. California hospitals also follow Title 22 operating-room staffing and RN oversight rules.[1][2]

11 · Next step

Explore your Surgical Technologist pathway

Review the UpTrain curriculum, included surgical externship, tuition and payment options. If California is your intended employment location, compare our pathway with the qualifications of employers you want to pursue.

Return to Program & Enroll →View Full Program Details
$1,188 tuition · Starting at $99/month
Sources & Important Information
12 · Sources & important information

Regulatory & certification sources

  1. California Title 22, §70225 — Surgical Service Staff. Physician responsibility and RN operating-room nursing oversight.
  2. California Title 22, §70217 — Nursing Service Staff. At least one circulating RN and one additional scrub assistant per patient-occupied operating room.
  3. California Department of Consumer Affairs — Licensing Requirements; CDPH license and certification list.
  4. NCCT — Tech in Surgery (TS-C). National credential and eligibility information.
  5. NCCT — Critical Skill Competency form. 125 cases, minimum 90 first scrub and case mix.
  6. NBSTSA — CST Eligibility. CAAHEP/ABHES education and other published pathways.
  7. NBSTSA — CST Examination Application. Published examination fees.
  8. NCCT — Candidate Handbook. Published TS-C examination fee.

Employer examples & disclaimer

  1. Palomar Health — Surgical Technologist–NonCert, Escondido, posting dated April 24, 2026.
  2. Adventist Health — Labor & Delivery Surgical Technologist, Delano, 2026 posting.
  3. Sharp HealthCare — Surgical Technologist II, San Diego, May 26, 2026.
  4. UC Davis Health — Principal Surgical Technician, Sacramento, 2026 posting.

This guide provides general educational information, not legal advice. State requirements, clinical-site policies, national certification rules and employer standards can change. Completion does not guarantee certification, clinical placement or employment. Review official sources and confirm requirements directly with your preferred employers.

Reviewed: September 2026